Orchid Fascination

From pre-dinosaur times has evolved the most unique and diverse plant form on earth; species orchids. Found on every continent of the globe except the arctic poles, natures orchids have evolved and adapted to the unique local environments in order to survive and multiply.

Orchid flowers range in size from that of a pinhead to that of a large melon. They come in all shapes, forms and colours of the rainbow.

Caucaea sanguinolenta

Dendrobium antennatum

Pleurothallis ascera

Epidendrum porpphyrea

The evolutionary process for orchids has been very long and each species has had to adapt to a specific environmental habitat. Often found in just one valley or region on our globe, thousands of these unique and exotic treasures are easily threatened with extinction by the multitude of quickly changing environmental conditions and human interventions today.

The survival of orchids in their native habitats ensures us that the many other plants, animals, insects and microbes are still present. The absence of orchids in a once habituated area is a red flag, indicating that the entire eco system may be endangered.